Kamari: Greek Show, Buffet Dinner, and Drinks at Dimitris

Dimitris turns dinner into a proper Greek party, with a buffet, free-flowing wine and beer, live bouzouki music, costumed dancers, and the chance to join the action. I like the friendly audience participation and the way the evening works for couples, families, and groups. The main drawback is that the dance floor can feel crowded, and the restaurant may get warm because there is no air conditioning.

I also like the clear schedule. You can arrive at 7:30 p.m., eat from 8 p.m., and settle in before the show begins at 9 p.m. Keep in mind that cocktails and spirits cost extra, and this is a self-service buffet rather than a slow, sit-down taverna dinner.

Key points to know before booking

• Traditional show with real audience participation: Watch Greek music and dances, then join the performers for simple steps.
• Unlimited drinks from 8 p.m. to 10:40 p.m.: Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included.
• Buffet service from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Expect Greek dishes and traditional desserts, with plenty of choice for different tastes.
• One plate-smashing activity: You can break a plate on the floor as part of the evening’s good-luck ritual.
• First-come, first-served seating: Couples sit opposite each other in a couples section, while groups are seated together.
• A three-hour evening in Kamari: Transportation is not included, so plan your own way to and from Dimitris restaurant.

A Greek night out in Kamari

If you want a quiet meal with a view, this is not that kind of evening. Dimitris offers a lively dinner show built around food, music, dancing, and participation. It feels more like a Greek-themed celebration than a formal cultural performance, which is exactly why it works so well for a holiday night.

The format is easy to understand. You arrive, find your table, collect food from the buffet, order included drinks at the bar, and watch the performance once the room is ready. Later, the dancers invite people onto the floor. You are welcome to join, but there is no pressure to perform.

I like this setup because you are not asked to sit still for three hours. You can eat, watch the musicians, talk with your group, and then get up when the dancing starts. It also gives families with older children a way to take part without committing to a full evening of formal entertainment.

The show uses traditional costumes and Greek instruments, including the bouzouki and violin. You will hear Greek songs and see dances such as zorba and syrtaki. The presentation is designed for an international audience, so you do not need to know Greek or understand the steps in advance.

Arriving at 7:30 p.m. and choosing your table

The doors open at 7:30 p.m., but 8 p.m. is the recommended arrival time. I would not cut it much closer than that if your seating position matters. Tables are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early gives you a better chance of sitting where you want within the available sections.

Couples are placed in a dedicated couples section, seated opposite each other. Groups are placed in a group area so they can sit together. This is useful to know if you are booking with friends or family, since you should not expect restaurant-style flexibility once the room begins filling.

Have your reservation ready on your phone or in printed form at check-in. The host or greeter can assist in Greek or English. Transportation is not part of the experience, so you need to reach Dimitris restaurant on your own and arrange your return afterward.

The evening ends at about 10:55 p.m. One helpful detail is that the staff can assist with taxis when needed, according to the experience information. Still, do not treat transportation home as included. If you are staying outside Kamari, check your return plan before dinner.

What you get from the buffet

The buffet opens at 8 p.m. and remains available until 9:30 p.m. That gives you a reasonable window to eat before and during the early part of the show. You serve yourself, so you can try a little of several dishes or return for more of what you like.

The food is Greek in style, with traditional dishes and desserts. The strongest pattern in the feedback is quantity and variety. Many diners found plenty to choose from, and several specifically liked the fresh, flavorful food and the range of options for different tastes.

I would set your expectations correctly. This is a buffet built to feed a full room, not a carefully paced tasting menu. Most of the comments praise the food, but a few found it average or wished for more classic Greek choices such as lamb and sardines. If your main goal is a serious food tour, this may not satisfy you as much as a small taverna meal.

For a dinner show, though, the buffet makes practical sense. You are free to eat at your own pace, and nobody has to wait for every course before the music begins. One visitor with gluten, dairy, and egg allergies found many suitable choices, but the supplied information does not promise a formal allergy menu. If you have a serious allergy, speak with staff before serving yourself.

Traditional desserts are included. Drinks available without extra payment include wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. The bar serves these from 8 p.m. until 10:40 p.m., giving you nearly the full evening to refresh your glass.

Included drinks, and what costs extra

The open drinks bar is one of the better parts of the $71 price. Included options are house red, white, and rose wine, beer, soft drinks, and water. This matters because a three-hour evening can become expensive when every drink is charged separately.

Liquors and cocktails are not included. You can buy spirits separately if you want them, but the package is aimed at wine, beer, and nonalcoholic drinks. If you are comparing this with a standard dinner, count the drinks carefully. The value improves for people who will have several included drinks and make full use of the buffet.

The bar closes at 10:40 p.m., a little before the official end of the show. That is worth remembering if you want a final drink. It is also sensible to eat early, since the buffet closes at 9:30 p.m., just as the main performance is getting underway.

The music and dancing at 9 p.m.

The live performance begins at 9 p.m. The musicians play Greek songs using instruments such as the bouzouki and violin. The bouzouki is central to the sound of modern Greek popular music, so hearing it live gives the evening more character than a recorded soundtrack would.

The dancers wear traditional costumes and perform choreographies including zorba and syrtaki. The show is energetic rather than academic. You will not receive a detailed lecture on regional dance traditions, and that is an important distinction. Dimitris offers an entertaining introduction to Greek music and dance, not a specialist folklore seminar.

The best part is the interaction. The performers bring people onto the dance floor and teach simple moves. You can watch first, then copy the steps when you feel ready. Families have found this especially easy for children, and the format also suits adults who want to join without feeling they need dance experience.

The floor may become crowded. One account specifically noted that there was too little room once many people began dancing. I would treat that as part of the party atmosphere, but it is a real consideration if you dislike close spaces or prefer to watch from your table.

The show also includes a short film, according to one piece of feedback. Its purpose may not be obvious, so do not expect every part of the program to be explained in detail. The dancers and musicians are the main attraction.

Plate smashing and joining the party

Plate smashing is included, and it is one of the evening’s most memorable details. You receive a plate to throw onto the floor for good luck. It gives you a simple way to take part in the ritual without needing to dance.

Do not expect an unlimited supply of plates. One person wished each diner could break more than one. That small limitation is understandable, since the activity is a short feature within a larger show, but it is useful to know if plate smashing is your main reason for booking.

The plate-breaking moment works best when you treat it as theatrical fun rather than a serious religious custom. Along with the costumes, songs, and dances, it creates the familiar image of a Greek celebration that many people hope to experience on Santorini.

You can also join the dancing, clap along, or simply watch. The staff and performers make a clear effort to involve the room, but participation is voluntary. I like that balance. Nobody should feel embarrassed for staying seated, while people who want a holiday story to tell can get right into it.

How good is the value at $71?

At $71 per person, this is not the cheapest dinner in Kamari. You are paying for three parts at once: the buffet, several hours of included drinks, and a live show with audience participation.

The value is strongest if you want an organized night out and expect to drink wine or beer. A couple who would otherwise pay separately for dinner, several drinks, and evening entertainment may find the package fair. It is also useful for families and groups because everyone receives the same straightforward arrangement.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a high-end meal. The buffet receives plenty of praise for being plentiful and tasty, but it is not universally considered exceptional. One honest assessment called the food good but average and noted missing Greek staples. For a food-focused evening, I would choose a carefully selected restaurant instead.

Entertainment is where the price earns its keep. The band, dancers, plate smashing, and group dancing fill the evening without requiring you to plan several separate activities. The show also has a strong social side, which can be hard to arrange on your own.

Comfort, crowds, and who will enjoy it

Dimitris is described as a clean, attractive, welcoming venue with a pale, upscale look. The atmosphere is designed for a large mixed crowd, including couples, families, and groups. Staff are repeatedly praised for being friendly and for getting people involved.

The room can feel warm. One report specifically pointed out the lack of air conditioning, which may matter during hot summer evenings. Dancing adds heat, and the room may feel crowded once the audience joins the performers.

This evening suits you best if you:

• Want an easy introduction to Greek music and dancing
• Enjoy live entertainment more than a quiet meal
• Like joining in with simple group activities
• Are traveling with family, friends, or a partner
• Value included drinks and a fixed three-hour schedule

It may not suit you if you have epilepsy, since the experience is listed as unsuitable for people with epilepsy. Babies under one year are also not considered suitable. Indoor smoking and vaping are not allowed, and pets are not permitted.

The age range appears broad, with children, couples, and older adults all able to take part. The dancing is voluntary, so you can make the evening as active or relaxed as you like.

Timing your night in Kamari

The schedule is simple:

• 7:30 p.m.: Doors open
• 8 p.m.: Buffet and drinks begin
• 9 p.m.: Live music and Greek show start
• 9:30 p.m.: Buffet service ends
• 10:40 p.m.: Bar service ends
• 10:55 p.m.: Show ends

Arriving around 8 p.m. gives you time to check in, choose from the available seating, get food, and order a drink before the performance starts. Arriving at 9 p.m. would mean missing the first hour of dinner and losing some of the value of the package.

Bring a camera if you want pictures of the costumes, musicians, dancing, and plate smashing. Keep your phone ready for check-in as well. The experience does not include transportation, so leave enough time to reach the restaurant and think ahead about getting back to your accommodation.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms make it easier to fit the evening into a changing Santorini schedule.

Should you book Dimitris Greek Night?

I would book this if you want a fun, social evening that combines dinner, drinks, live Greek music, and easy audience participation. The dancers and musicians are the heart of the night, and the buffet and open bar make the total cost easier to judge.

I would skip it if your priority is a quiet, intimate meal or a deep study of Greek food and folklore. The buffet is practical rather than refined, the room can get warm and crowded, and cocktails are extra.

For most people spending a few nights in Santorini, Dimitris offers a simple way to enjoy Greek music and dancing without arranging several separate activities. Arrive at 8 p.m., eat early, claim your seat, and join the dance floor when the performers invite you. At $71, it is a solid choice for a party night, especially if you will make good use of the included drinks.

FAQ

How long does the Dimitris Greek show last?

The full experience lasts three hours. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the evening ends at about 10:55 p.m.

What time should I arrive?

The recommended arrival time is 8 p.m., when the buffet and bar open. Arriving early also helps because seating is first come, first served.

Is transportation to Dimitris restaurant included?

No. Transportation is not included, so you must make your own way to Dimitris restaurant in Kamari and arrange your return.

What food is included?

A self-service buffet of Greek specialties and traditional desserts is included. The buffet is available from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included. The bar serves these drinks from 8 p.m. until 10:40 p.m.

Are cocktails and spirits included?

No. Liquors and cocktails are not included, but they may be available to purchase separately.

Can I take part in the dancing?

Yes. The performers invite people to join the dancing and demonstrate Greek moves. Participation is voluntary, so you can also remain seated and watch.

Is plate smashing included?

Yes. Plate smashing is included as part of the show. The activity provides a plate to break for good luck.

Is the experience suitable for everyone?

The experience is not suitable for people with epilepsy or babies under one year. Pets are not allowed, and smoking and vaping are prohibited indoors.